Leamington now have six games to preserve their Conference North status after Chorley snatched a first-half lead from nowhere to ultimately earn a deserved three points and boost their play-off aspirations, writes Paul Edwards.

Neither side created any openings in the first 20 minutes but Brakes looked far brighter than they had done in the first half at Solihull three days earlier.

Spirits were raised further when they went in front in the 22nd minute, Jordan Goddard firing home from inside the penalty area after some neat possession play from a throw-in.

Jack Edwards was making his presence felt in attack and Leamington looked comfortable as half-time approached, but the New Windmill Ground crowd was left stunned as the visitors turned the game on its head.

Adam Roscoe was given time to control the ball before unleashing a piledriver from way out which whistled past Jonny Maddison before he could move, and before Leamington were able to readjust the Magpies were in front.

Harry Winter rattled the bar with a powerful drive which James Mace prevented from crossing the line but Chris Doyle was on hand to thrash the loose ball into the roof of the net.

Understandably, the mood around the ground altered as both sets of supporters tried to digest what they had just witnessed.

With confidence fragile after three straight defeats, Brakes were bound to be affected by the goals despite having had the better of the first half, and though they tried to muster a response, Chorley used their experience and know-how to take a firm grip on the game.

And, in the 65th minute they put it beyond their hosts when skipper Andy Teague headed home at the far post from a disputed free- kick.

Loan signing Ashley Worsfold got another hour or so under his belt and showed signs of building an understanding with his new team-mates, turning well to shoot wide early in the second half.

He was then just beaten to a through ball from Lee Chilton by the advancing Sam Ashton in the Chorley goal.

Maddison was tested several times, saving Dale Witham’s free-kick and then fielding a weak shot from Jack Dorney, while Chorley substitute Paul Jarvis was in the right place to clear Delroy Gordon’s header off the line.

Bilal Yafai did his best to make a nuisance of himself after stepping off the bench but at times he was helpless against the muscle of the visitors defence as Leamington hit a dead end in their efforts to get back into the game.